Attentional Bias Retraining in Veterans

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Attentional bias retraining

• Registration Number: NCT02041572
• Lead Sponsor: VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

Brief Summary

The study has two goals. First to develop a computer-based intervention meant to alter cognitive biases that contribute to ongoing PTSD symptoms. Second, we sought to pilot test the intervention in a small sample of veterans for feasibility and acceptability.

Detailed Description

Aim 1: Develop Attentional Bias Retraining protocol (Phase 1)

* 1.1 Computerized assessment \& retraining programs

* 1.2 Procedures and measures

Aim 2: Implement in pilot sample (Phase 2)

* 2.1: Assess feasibility and tolerability

* 2.2: Collect pilot data to plan future studies

* 2.3: Efficacy estimates based on changes in response time to dot probe task

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2012-05
• Primary Completion: 2012-12
• Status Verified: 2014-01
• Study First Submitted: 2014-01-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-01-17
• Study First Posted: 2014-01-22
• Study Completion: 2015-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-10-31
• Last Update Posted: 2017-11-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 22

Inclusion Criteria

• Participated in ground combat operations in Vietnam
• Scored 40 - 80 on PTSD Checklist - Military version
• Availability and willingness to attend 2x weekly computer sessions for 6 weeks

Exclusion Criteria

• Active substance dependence
• Significant cognitive impairment
• Current and active suicidal or homicidal ideation

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Attentional Bias Retraining	Attentional bias retraining	Each participant receives 12 sessions. The first three sessions are baseline (assessment only) sessions. The last four sessions must be treatment sessions. The attentional bias intervention starts randomly on sessions 4 - 8, and continues until the end of the 12 sessions.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Post-traumatic Checklist - Military version (PCL-M)	Change from Baseline and Post-treatment (1 month after last training session)	PCL-M assess the 17-cardinal symptoms of PTSD.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Attentional bias scores	Change from Baseline and Post-treatment (1 month after last training session)	Attentional bias scores represent participants cognitive bias to orient towards trauma-relevant information more quickly than neutral information.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Center for PTSD; 🇺🇸 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States